The Patriots running backs could present a problem for the Chargers

One area that we didn’t really expound on in yesterday’s game preview was the matchup consisting of the Patriots running backs against the Chargers defense. On paper, it’s advantage New England. The Chargers are ranked No. 28 in defending backs in the passing game, allowing a success rate of 52 percent. The Chargers are 23rd in DVOA at defending running backs. It’s truly been their Achilles heel over the course of the season. A safe assumption is the Patriots getting their backs involved in the passing game.

Patriots running back James White can be a legitimate threat out of the backfield. The Patriots will split him out wide and he’s had plenty of success there. The only thing that has limited White, ironically enough, is his teammate Rex Burkhead. Since Burkhead has been healthy again, the snaps for White have decreased. That’s good news for the Chargers. Burkhead is nowhere near the threat as White. Much has been made about the Chargers playing with six and seven defensive backs. White has a clear advantage against any true Chargers linebacker not named Jatavis Brown. As you know, he’s out for the playoffs. That advantage is diminished if White is lined up against say, Adrian Phillips.

White caught 87 passes this year. To put that into perspective, Keenan Allen caught 10 more passes all year. Last year when the two teams faced, White caught five passes for 87 yards. He’s a threat. The Chargers will need to contain him. Their speed should help. How they choose to defend him will be interesting. With extra defensive backs on the field, it shouldn’t present the same problem it did a year ago.

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